Haiti: From Natural Catastrophe to Economic Security - A Report for the Secretary-General of the United Nations

This report, commissioned for the UN Secretary-General, examines Haiti's path from natural catastrophe to economic security following the devastating 2008 hurricanes and food crisis. The author argues that despite Haiti's classification as a fragile state, it possesses uniquely favorable fundamentals compared to other fragile states, including its location in a peaceful region, lack of ethnic divisions, massive diaspora, and preferential trade access through HOPEII.

The 2008 crises created a humanitarian emergency and delayed economic development that should have begun after the establishment of security through MINUSTAH and democratic governance. The food price increases triggered riots and government collapse, followed by destructive hurricanes that devastated infrastructure and livelihoods. These setbacks, combined with the looming global recession and reduced remittances, created an urgent need for economic development.

The report emphasizes that both MINUSTAH and HOPEII are time-bound opportunities that must be leveraged quickly. With rapid population growth creating environmental pressures and a growing pool of underemployed youth, Haiti faces increasing fragility if economic development is not launched soon. The author stresses that military security must be rapidly superseded by economic security to maintain social order.

The proposed strategy focuses on simple, immediate objectives including job creation through reconstruction and export zones, basic services improvement, food security, and environmental sustainability. The report argues that Haiti's proximity to the US market, competitive labor costs, and duty-free access under HOPEII make it an ideal location for garment manufacturing and other export industries.